Sketch of geometries within the Alpha Centauri system: the orbital plane of the stars Alpha Centauri A and В is inclined by about 80° with respect to the observer on Earth. Our model planet (the blue dot) orbits Alpha Centauri A. In this sketch, the line of nodes of the planet’s orbit was chosen to coincide with that of the stellar orbits. The inclination angle i_m of the planet’s orbit with respect to the stellar orbital plane is 45°, and the inclination angle of the planet’s orbit with respect to the observer is 80° − 45° = 35°. The phase angles of the planet in this sketch would range from 90° − 35° = 55° to 90° + 35° = 125°.